- Neglected arthritis community set to grow 50% reaching 5.4M by 2030, generating a $9.4 billion loss in GDP1
- Advocates warn mismatch between poor funding and scale of arthritis burden is creating future 'tipping point'
- Urgent action needed to avert long-term impact of under-investment
Leading patient organisations Arthritis Australia and Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA) are calling for urgent action to start addressing the challenges and impact of a rapidly growing arthritis community, set to increase by 50% and reach 5.4 million within this decade with associated costs set to skyrocket.1
Currently more than 3.6 million Australians, of all ages, are living with one of 100 forms of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, representing a leading cause of disability and a total estimated cost to the health system of $14 billion every year.1 This represents 13% of Australia's overall disease burden, equivalent to cardiovascular disease and mental health (both 12%) yet arthritis remains a low priority in terms of provision of health services and research funding.2
Arthritis Australia and Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia are coming together Tuesday 21 March 2023 to seek action on three priorities:
- An urgent increase in the Juvenile Arthritis Healthcare Workforce
- Expanded roll-out of the national surgery catch-up package including joint replacement
- An increased and sustain commitment to Arthritis Research
